Description: The objectives of the workshop were to report on the status on the current calibration performance for the European Missions (Proba-V, Sentinel-2A, Sentinel-2B, Sentinel-3 OLCI and SLSTR, MERIS and ATSR), to compare the various approaches used by the different missions and to identify open points and issues. The discussions aimed at giving coherence between the various missions in term of radiometric calibration. This workshop was a European contribution to the CEOS WGCV/IVOS group on the calibration harmonisation discussion, in particular, the ‘harmonisation of calibration coefficients' between missions and if and how we could agree on radiometric standard between missions.
A report on the "operational calibration methods" (how the operation gains are derived) was achieved through this workshop. During this discussion the common parts and the differences between missions were identified. Moreover, the way to validate them (inter-comparison, vicarious methods) was discussed. Issues, open points and questions were also analysed. In the second day further discussions took place on the methods and matters related to the vicarious calibration techniques.
The participation was limited to European key actors in the calibration domain, with an invitation to NASA colleagues, in order to share their experiences.

Description: ACIX is an international collaborative initiative to inter-compare a set of atmospheric correction (AC) processors for high-spatial resolution optical sensors. The exercise will focus on Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 imagery over a set of test areas. The inter-comparison of the derived Bottom-of-Atmosphere (BOA) products is expected to contribute to the understanding of the different uncertainty contributors and help in improving the AC processors.

Description: Calibration is becoming increasingly more challenging as measurement requirements for many of today's remote sensing applications become more stringent. The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing (CALCON) annual meeting provides a forum for scientists, engineers, and managers to present, discuss, and learn about calibration, characterization, and radiometric issues within the microwave, IR, visible, and UV spectral ranges. Individuals developing measurement requirements for current and future sensor systems are encouraged to participate in the meetings to foster continuity and advancement within the community. CALCON attendance enables interaction with other experts, helps close the gap between expectations and real-world experiences, and may result in the discovery of solutions to individual program challenges.
Stephanie Halton
Utah State University Research Foundation
calcon@usurf.usu.edu
435.713.3058

Description: In response to strategic priorities common to all high-latitude and Arctic Nations and most of which are Member States of the European Space Agency (ESA); ESA, in collaboration with the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) and LOOKNorth (Canada) is organizing the 2nd International Workshop on Arctic Products Validation and Evolution (APVE). The APVE Workshop II will foster the development, assessment and improvement of the broad spectrum of capabilities offered by Space-based Earth observation technology in response to high-Latitude and Arctic stakeholders information needs addressing National, Regional, and International interests. The focus of the second of three international workshops will be on existing agency data, and modeling and simulations of future capabilities (evolution). Scientists and validation experts are provided with the opportunity to present latest results from their on-going research, including the evolution of products, the development of validation processes, the inter-comparison methodologies and the evolution of algorithms. The workshop will focus primarily on optical imaging sensors supporting modeling and simulations with some elements of radar, from ESA missions and national missions. During this workshop results from recently reprocessed data sets will be presented and contributions for future ESA missions using existing data sets and validation infrastructures are encouraged. Participants are encouraged to submit abstracts for presentations and posters for the workshops.

Important Dates: Abstract Submission by 10 June 2015 / Registration by 31 July 2015

Description: The main objective of the project SnowPEx is the intercomparison and validation of hemispheric and global satellite snow products for estimation of temporal trends of the seasonal snow cover and assessing their accuracy. The main providers on satellite snow extent and water equivalent products are participating in this exercise. In the 1st International Satellite Snow Products Intercomparison Workshop, held at NOAA, Maryland, in July 2014, the community discussed and agreed on methods and protocols for intercomparison of products and their validation using reference data sets from various environments and surface types around the world. Overview and status on products and reference data sets are accessible at http://snowpex.enveo.at.
The 2nd International Workshop on Satellite Snow Products Intercomparison aims to present and discuss the current status of the snow products validation and intercomparison, to check the trend analysis and to ￼elaborate guidelines for quantifying uncertainty estimates. Scientists are encouraged to submit abstracts for ￼presentations and posters at the workshop.

Description: A two-day training course on uncertainty analysis for earth observation measurements, with particular emphasis on the calibration and characterisation of remote sensing radiometric instruments: both pre-flight satellite instruments and for ground validation instrumentation.

Description: Seasonal snow is a main element of the global water cycle and climate system. Due to its strong influence on the radiation and energy balance, changes in snow extent tend to amplify climate fluctuations. Terrestrial snow covers up to 50 million km2 and temporal variability. Therefore satellite observations provide the only means for timely and complete observations of the global snow cover. The recently published 2013 IPCC Working Group 1 report identified seasonal snow as significantly decreasing in the recent decades. The importance of accurate data on the global snow cover has been addressed in the WCRP-CliC Workshop and "WCRP Grand Challenges and the Cryosphere in a Changing Climate", held in Tromsö, 16-18 Oct. 2013. The "The role of snow as an active component of the global climate system" has been identified by CliC as a main topic for future research. Also in the WMO Global Cryosphere Watch Workshop in January 2013 the need of intercomparing snow products from various sensors and methods was identified.

This is the first of two international workshops with the aim to bring together scientists and institutions of seasonal snow pack monitoring for assessing the quality of current satellite-based snow products derived from EO data, and working out guidelines for improvement. To this end, workshop participants are encouraged to submit abstracts for presentations and posters for the workshops.

POC: Stephanie Halton, Utah State University Research Foundation, calcon@usurf.usu.edu ,435.713.3058

Description: Calibration is becoming increasingly more challenging as measurement requirements for many of today's remote sensing applications become more stringent. The Conference on Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing (CALCON Technical Conference) provides a forum for scientists, engineers, and managers to present, discuss, and learn. Experts in the calibration community offer relevant knowledge and suggestions about calibration, characterization, and radiometric issues within the microwave, IR, visible, and UV spectral ranges. Individuals developing measurement requirements for today's and future sensor systems are encouraged to participate and help close the gap between expectations and real world experiences. The continuity and advancement of our calibration community depends on your participation.